[directinjection]

Originally Posted by the VTEC guy

My feeling is this vehicle is aleady on X2 platform. Reason being the floor mounted spare wheel. I mean can the old chasis accomodate that?

Why not? Much before the Safari, Tata shifted the spare wheel from the tailgate to the floor on the Sumo Victa.

[kaviprem]

Originally Posted by directinjection

Why not? Much before the Safari, Tata shifted the spare wheel from the tailgate to the floor on the Sumo Victa.

I am clueless here. But, as far as I know, Sumo and Safari are from 2 different platforms, hence, shifting the wheel down in Sumo Victa doesnt hold any good for shifting in Safari.

Prem.

[harishnair]

Originally Posted by kaviprem

I am clueless here. But, as far as I know, Sumo and Safari are from 2 different platforms, hence, shifting the wheel down in Sumo Victa doesnt hold any good for shifting in Safari.

What directinjection meant was that you don't need to change the platform to change the position of the spare-wheel. Sumo was just taken as an example of a TATA vehicle which had earlier received this treatment.

[4x4addict]

There is definitely sufficient space to move the the spare wheel to the rear bottom. However, this will affect the departure angle when going off-road. I doubht this is the X2 platform.

[HappyWheels]

^^ Fuel tank plays havoc when you move the wheels to the bottom, with the current design.

And I doubt if the dimensions are same, and as expected, they tuck in the wheels (if at the bottom) well enough, the departure angle will be an issue. At the worst case, you will have the wheel providing a "rock glider" effect - how much damage it will cause to the wheel & rim depends on the load and surface you are departing from.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

^^ Fuel tank plays havoc when you move the wheels to the bottom, with the current design.

And I doubt if the dimensions are same, and as expected, they tuck in the wheels (if at the bottom) well enough, the departure angle will be an issue. At the worst case, you will have the wheel providing a "rock glider" effect - how much damage it will cause to the wheel & rim depends on the load and surface you are departing from.

Fuel tank can be relocated. Sumo has a fuel tank too. rock glider effect won't work on dry/rocky surfaces. You will sit on your spare wheel.

[SAE40 in veins]

The interiors of this one in the pics look strikingly different from the existing version. If Tatas are investing in retooling for dies and moulds(bonnet lid and dashboard) rather than cosmetic updates, it means that Safari in its new avatar may last at least two - three years more till a replacement is around So sad that the replacement on the X2 is still a good distance away.....

[studedude]

It somehow looks like a computer managed pic

[barathvajan]

Hi guys

Was in Pune for past 15 days. Managed to see merlin in flesh and that too two versions of it (dont ask me how. my job nature gives me the previlege). one is just like the one available in picture and the second one with a different grill looks "Yuck". couldnt take photos though.

[safari_lover]

@barathvajan, did you get the launch info by any chance?
Were these production models or testing?

[motorhead5]

Originally Posted by barathvajan

Hi guys

Was in Pune for past 15 days. Managed to see merlin in flesh and that too two versions of it (dont ask me how. my job nature gives me the previlege). one is just like the one available in picture and the second one with a different grill looks "Yuck". couldnt take photos though.

Did you get a chance to look at the interiors?. If so, how is it?. Any launch date info?

[gshanky]

Originally Posted by barathvajan

Hi guys

Was in Pune for past 15 days. Managed to see merlin in flesh and that too two versions of it (dont ask me how. my job nature gives me the previlege). one is just like the one available in picture and the second one with a different grill looks "Yuck". couldnt take photos though.

Wonder why two versions? I am not sure if TML is planning to re-position safari at different price points. Is it possible one is a sumo and another is Safari?

It should be a given that we will not get all new safari until it is time for a new scorpio. But then there could be newer versions in the same platform.

[ram_hyundai]

The New safari launch would bridge the gap between the old safari and the low end aria.This would help in justifying the price of the aria to a certain extend.Might be a strategy from the house of tata.

ram

[007 Bond]

interior changes are for both models, but i doubt both running side by side. We have got advance intimation of some changes in interior components, possibly a march 1st week launch is expected.

[jkdas]

Maybe base gets the yuck grill and the other one would be EX/GX/VX.

Hope they dont do an Aria-ish pricing !